Saturday, December 22, 2007

Being a dad, again, and being near Christmas has turned my thoughts toward the Incarnation of Christ. The whole process of pregnancy, birth, and taking care of a new baby is hard and messy – and I’m just the dad! Something I had forgotten is how helpless a new baby is. Lydia didn’t know how to eat or fall asleep, and the only message she could send was to cry. She’s started smiling every now and then, so that’s nice, but they don’t start out that way. They also don’t sleep 5.5 hours straight at night (which she is now – yay!).

It should utterly amaze us that Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, the second person of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, would enter the world like all other humans. On top of that, He was born in a barn! A far cry from that nice hospital room we had with nurses a button push away, not to mention the epidural. Jesus had dirty diapers. Jesus woke Mary up every 2 hours or so.

Why? Why come in such a way?

So He could be our great high priest, who knows us and our weaknesses firsthand. So He could truly live the perfect, full, human life. So He could be tempted in every way we are, including our childhood temptations. So He could die in the place of all His chosen people.

Remember that our God is great AND humble. And have a Merry Christmas y’all.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Earlier this week, I took Lydia for her checkup. After all the concern from doctors with her weight loss and slow gaining (early on), she was 10 lbs 4oz and 23.25 in. That is a pretty big jump in her percentiles! The only concerns were some vomiting (it has gotten less - probably over-eating) and her left hip has a click - a symptom of a dislocated hip.Two days later we had an ultrasound done of her hips. It felt strange being in an ultrasound room with a baby outside of me! The two technicians who looked at her said that the joint looks fine (but also heard the click), but I haven't heard the "official" report. I'm glad we go back at 2 months so we can follow up.

It is so cute to watch her with Stephen. Lydia's expression when Stephen's playing with her is great - I wonder what she's thinking... We're still teaching him how gentle he has to be, but once we teach him with specific actions (how to hug, pat, etc), he's pretty good to remember. He does enjoy loving on her and he is good help (usually). I didn't know how fun it would be watching their relationship develop!